Man charged in mugging of woman, 78, in West Babylon
Travis Ortiz, 41, of Massapequa, is charged in the case of a 78-year-old woman who was knocked down and her purse stolen in West Babylon, Suffolk police said. (March 19, 2010) Credit: Handout
A Massapequa man has been arrested on robbery charges for allegedly knocking down a 78-year-old woman and stealing her purse in a grocery store parking lot in West Babylon, Suffolk police said.
Travis Ortiz, 41, of 58 Francine Ave., knocked Nancy Conte to the ground and snatched her purse at about 8:51 a.m. on Thursday in the parking lot of the Waldbaum's at 725 Sunrise Hwy., West Babylon, according to police.
Conte, of West Babylon, suffered a broken hip and broken elbow, police said.
Ortiz fled in a 1996 Ford Explorer, but Conte and several witnesses provided officers with a description of Ortiz and his vehicle. He was found by officer Richard Tofano at the Sky Motel, 125 Third Ave., Lindenhurst, police said, and the purse and its contents also were recovered.
Conte was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip, where she was treated for her injuries, police said.
Ortiz was charged with robbery and was scheduled to be arraigned Thursday.
After 47 years, affordable housing ... Let's Go: Williamsburg winter village ... Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV
After 47 years, affordable housing ... Let's Go: Williamsburg winter village ... Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV
